Police said hot weather was to blame for the rise in crime over the weekend, with most being for drink-related offences and domestic violence

Police locked up more than 250 people over the weekend as tempers and temperatures soared across Greater Manchester.

Officers blamed the hot weather for the surge in trouble with the majority of arrests for drink-related offences and domestic violence.

By Sunday morning there were 176 people in cells across Greater Manchester - worse than the rate for New Year’s Eve.

A further 98 were detained by 7pm on Sunday taking the total to 274 arrests.

Assistant Chief Constable, Garry Shewan, tweeted on Sunday morning: “This morning challenge is freeing up cell capacity. Currently 176 people in custody which is higher than NYE I think! Good weather & drink!”

He later tweeted: “In the 12 hours since 7am this morning a further 98 people have been arrested in @gmpolice with many arrests resulting from domestic abuse.”

Speaking to the MEN, Mr Shewan added: “This has been a very busy weekend for officers across Greater Manchester.

“It is the first really hot weekend that we have yet this year and many people have been out and about enjoying the sunshine. “Unfortunately this has meant that the number of arrests have increased mainly for drink and domestic-related incidents.”

Tony Lloyd, Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: “It is a high figure. Obviously, 176 - more than were taken into custody on New Year’s Eve - is a big number. One of the issues we do have is that with good weather people have too much to drink. Sadly, 176 people have had too much to drink.

“It’s an unacceptable number of people who decided to let the weekend, the drink and the hot weather get to them.

“Lots of people behaved very responsibly - but a significant proportion let the drink get the better of them.

“It’s a shame that some people do let the drink and sunshine go to their heads. They should just catch up with the rest of us and enjoy the weekend instead of getting arrested.”

He said many of the offences were domestic violence, adding: “That is unacceptable under any circumstances, there is no excuse for that - not the hot weather, not the drink - there is no excuse for taking this out on your loved ones.

“Domestic violence is unacceptable if the weather is hot or cold.”

He said there was limited trouble at the main city centre events like the Rugby League Magic Weekend, the City Games and Great Manchester Run.

Manchester was invaded by tens of thousands of rugby league fans who attended the Etihad stadium for seven matches in two days.

A total of 65,000 fans supporting the Super League’s 14 clubs came to the city with many staying for the entire weekend.

But police said there were only two arrests directly linked to the event.